Bears' defense grabs some spotlight in another rout

By Tim Griffin :
October 19, 2013
: Updated: October 20, 2013 12:33am

Baylor's Lache Seastrunk carries Iowa State defensive end Cory Morrissey for extra yardage in front of two other Cyclones in the first half. Seastrunk, who didn't play much in the second half, had 112 yards.

WACO — For all of the national buzz about Baylor's ridiculously fast start this season, the Bears' defense has been almost an afterthought.

But a few more games like their 71-7 beatdown over Iowa State on Saturday night will change how the nation looks at the once-beleaguered unit.

Forget about the nation's most explosive offense. This group can play a little defense, too.

The No. 12 Bears came within 47 seconds and a late touchdown against their substitutes from notching their first conference shutout since 1985. The defense still limited ISU to 174 yards, nine first downs, forced two turnovers and notched five sacks and should help explain why Art Briles' team shouldn't merely be thought of as an offensive juggernaut.

“That's probably the best we've played,” senior nickelback Sam Holl said about the Baylor defensive effort. “We've waited a long time for this.”

Many of the starters were part of a defense that was blistered for 70 points by West Virginia last season and allowed at least 40 points in six different games.

It's hard to compare that unit to the confident one that throttled an ISU offense that had averaged 32.5 points in its first three conference games.

“It's crazy how far we've come and it's something only we saw coming,” senior safety Ahmad Dixon said. “We wanted that goose egg. A lot of people didn't expect we could do something like this as a defense. But this made a statement because this was a good offense.”

Although it sputtered a little at the beginning, the Bears' offense was its usual productive self, ringing up 714 yards and scoring at least 70 points for the fourth time this season.

“I don't know what you can say,” Briles said. “Our defense played unbelievable. It's a complete win, and we had as much energy as I've seen in a long time.”

Bryce Petty played into the fourth quarter for only the second time this season, passing for 343 yards and two touchdowns to help the Bears (6-0, 3-0) earn their 10th consecutive victory.

That streak is Baylor's longest since 1937 and its first 3-0 start in Big 12 play in school history.

Iowa State (1-5, 0-3) endured the largest margin of defeat in school history.

With six teams ahead of them in the polls losing earlier in the day, Petty said the Bears were determined on not joining that group.

“It shows the maturity level of our team,” Petty said. “We have a lot of older leadership and they keep us on an even keel. We didn't want to be part of 'Upset Saturday.'”

Because they weren't, Baylor is likely poised to move into the top 10 for the first time since the sixth week of the 1991 season. And they likely will have the highest ranking for the school when the first BCS poll is released Sunday night.

“I'll notice it,” Briles said. “But it's more important where you are Dec. 7 (the final poll release date) than where you are now.”

Wide receiver Antwan Goodley, who notched 11 receptions for 182 yards and a pair of scores, is hoping that the rest of the nation will consider it something else as well.